MarketsFarm — Pulse crops in Saskatchewan are in shape to have a good year, according to Dale Risula, a pulse specialist with the province’s agriculture department.

“Pulses got off to a pretty good start. Moisture levels in the soil were pretty good. Most of the pulses were up and growing rapidly,” Risula said, noting pulse acres in Saskatchewan this year are roughly the same as in 2019.

The weekly crop report stated that pulses were at 82 per cent normal development as of July 14, with five per cent ahead and 13 per cent behind. The southeast region led the way with pulses at 88 per cent normal; the southwest, at 71 per cent, was farthest behind the curve.

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“Peas are quite tall and are starting to pod,” Risula said. “Lentils are flowering and are going to begin podding pretty quickly. In some areas, lentils might be already.”

Along with the good soil moisture levels, most of Saskatchewan received a significant amount of rain that was quite time timely, Risula said.

In some regions, such as low-lying areas, that has led to root rot in pulse crops. As for other foliar diseases, those have been minimal this year.

“We don’t seem to having any problems with insects,” Risula added.

— Glen Hallick reports for MarketsFarm from Winnipeg.